Tyler Marsh, Sky coach, recalled his first conversation with Angel Reese and a prophecy that ended up coming true

In November last year, Tyler Marsh arrived at Chicago Sky as the team’s head coach, with a new vision and plans for the players and, of course, for Angel Reese.

In her rookie year in 2024, the 23-year-old forward stole the show with her performance, finishing second for WNBA Rookie of the Year. In her second year in the league, she has bought into Marsh’s plan and transformed her game.

Marsh thought about Reese’s strength
Despite another loss for the team to the Las Vegas Aces on Monday night, 79-74, the Sky star had 10 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Not only that, but this performance improved her numbers, and she now averages 14.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

Angel’s rebounding is one of the two-time All-Star’s greatest strengths. In fact, she ranks sixth in franchise history in total rebounds (780) and among the top five in offensive rebounds (276).

This situation did not go unnoticed by the 37-year-old coach, who said she would become the “best rebounder” in the WNBA. However, he couldn’t help but recall and comment to the press on the plans he had for Reese when he joined the team and what points he emphasized. He knew he didn’t just want to improve her rebounding, but her entire game:

“I think the thing I’m most proud of is, you know, one of the first conversations I had with her when I got the job was, I was like, ‘Look, we’re going to get your efficiency up. I was like, ‘It may look a little bit different in how you do it, your offensive rebounds may be down a little bit, but that’s because your efficiency is going to be up, but I need your defensive rebounds to stay the same or, you know, or get better,'” Marsh recalled.

And that’s exactly what happened: the forward’s offensive rebounds dropped to 3.9 from 5.1 last year. However, she currently has a 45.8% success rate on her offensive shots, a much higher number than last season’s 39.1%, and her defensive rebounds have increased from 8.1 to 8.5.

and THAT’S why she got player of the game 🙂‍↕️

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— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 26, 2025

“I think she’s made a really conscious effort to be a force on the defensive glass because you already know what she can give you on the offensive glass. So I think you know those things have come to fruition, and she’s finding herself more and more into who she is, who she needs to be, and who she still can be moving forward,” Tyler said proudly.

With seven games remaining, the team is virtually eliminated from playoff contention. However, Reese has one more chance to continue shining. Angel is just 20 rebounds away from surpassing Kahleah Copper and becoming the fifth-best rebounder in team history.

Her next opportunity will be on Thursday, August 28, when they travel to face the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena. Will she manage to get the rebounds she needs in these remaining games?